1926 Witte "K" 2½ HP
This is my first engine. A 1926 Witte, Serial # 70111 throttle governed kerosene / gasoline engine with cast iron crank cover and extra capacity hopper and hopper insert. Having operated several steam traction engines over a few years, I wanted something I could take to and display at other shows in the area.
I had my heart set on the purchase of a 1926 Buffalo - Springfield road roller but I had no where to store it nor any way to haul it. Besides, I would have to store it at Mineral Beach and about the only time I could "play" with it was at the Mineral Beach, Tri-State Historical Steam Engine Show in Finleyville, PA.
In August of 1994 I read of an auction in Coraopolis, PA where there were several gas engines to be auctioned along with other farm machinery and farm related items. The owner was Paul R. Harron and he was downsizing his farmette. There were some larger engines that were sold for more than I could afford at the time and, besides, I've never had any gas engine experience as of yet.
I bid on a few engines to get my feet wet and when the Witte came up for auction, I purchased it for a decent price. It was all there and the piston was free. Other than getting it running the only work I had to do was clean it up and put it in time.
1912 Ideal "M" 2½ HP. This engine was
purchased at auction in Keyser, West Virginia
April 13, 1996. The fuel pump and bracket were missing
and the fuel tank had about a half inch of "varnish" coating the bottom. The
piston was "free" and the insides looked fairly clean. It was
several years before I got this one cleaned up and running. I usually rub
it down with oil after a show to keep it's natural patina.
1941 Stover "CT-1" 2 HP. This engine was also purchased at auction
in Keyser, West Virginia April
13,1996. It looked to be in running condition.
All I had to do was set the ignition and valve timing and she was running.
Since purchase, I have installed new rings and bearings and use this engine as
the power for my "Can Shooter" and to run other implements.
1928 Fuller Johnson "NC" 1½ HP. Also purchased at auction in
Keyser, West Virginia
April 13,1996. What attracted me to this engine was the original tin crank
guard which held the oiler for the connecting rod bearing. There were a
few parts missing and broke on the ignition trip mechanism but it looked rather
easy to get running. I have refinished and pinstriped this engine.
Due to the wear marks on the flywheel, from a drive chain, I feel this engine
was used on a cement mixer.
1928 Jaeger "S" 2½ HP. I purchased this engine at the Nat'l Pike
Horse, Gas & Steam spring show in May of 2002. It was in a box, all apart.
It was easy to see that all the parts were in good shape but I had no idea if
they fit each other. But I trusted the seller and made the purchase.
Purchasing new rings and bearings, painting and assembling was a snap.
Everything was there to the last bolt. An excellent runner, it is one of
my favorites. I believe this engine was also used on a cement mixer.
1955 Planet Jr. Super Tuffy, ½ HP Briggs 6S. This walk behind
tractor, built by the S.L. Allen Company, was purchased at the Tri-State Gas
Engine Show in Portland, Indiana August 2003. It was pretty much all
rust but it had spark and compression. The lower frame was bent and a little
work with a hydraulic press fixed that. I installed new bushings and
chains and the rest was cleaning and painting. After restoring the
tractor, I decided to build a Sulky which is made from thin wall electrical
conduit and two 20" bicycle front ends. Looking at it, I said "It looks
like a hornet". Hence the name "The Portland Hornet".
Samual L. Allen was a Philadelphia Quaker and invented the company in 1867. In 1881 the World Renowned S.L. Allen Company was a leading manufacturer of farm equipment. The same that built the Flexible Flyer snow sleds and the Flexy Racer street sled we enjoyed as kids.
Circa 1912 Ideal 2 - 2½ HP. My son Joe, found this engine
while cleaning out a cellar. He asked if I wanted it and, of course, I
said yes. After toying with it and removing several parts, I found that
everything was rusted together tight. After several days of work I decided
it wasn't something I needed for my collection. Destined to be a "Lawn
Ornament" I took it to the Hit & Miss Enterprises show in Orwell, OH - 2005 -
and passed it on to another collector.
Maytag 1928 Model 92 - ½ HP. These were used on the Maytag Washing
Machine which had many attachments and could perform many tasks. Aside
from washing clothes they could be used for grinding & stuffing sausage,
churning butter, making ice cream, sharpening knives and, depending on
attachment, many other chores.
This Torch Burns In Memory Of Engine Men Past. In the early 1900's
these torches were used in the coal mines and at gas wells as a source of light.
This particular torch was given to me by a dear friend in memory of his
step-father. I thought it would be a good idea to burn this torch in
memory of others who have traveled this same road before me.
Here are some of my other "toys".
Circa 1955 - Hand held refillable propane tile torch. Given to me
by Allen Garrett, the son of Wayne Garrett, whom I apprenticed under in my early
years of the flooring trade.
Water Pumps & Pump Jacks - A Sears Roebuck I acquired at a show auction in West
Alexander, PA and a Deming I purchased from an In-Law. The Blue
Pump Jack is made by the Butler Company, Butler, IN.
My Beach Ball Blower, Maytag Shotgun
and Pop Can Shooter, are novelty items that
the show crowd seems to enjoy.
Originally developed by Roy L.
Cloutier, the Magic Window had VOLCANIC ACTION and was made of millions
of "MICRODIUM CRYSTALS". The cool thing about this toy is that the two colors
of "crystals" would not mix, but stay separated to create "magic action". This
toy was produced by Wham-O in 1973. I have mounted it on a battery powered
motor to provide added mystique.
About us - How I Got Started - My First Engine & Other Toys -
Tri-State Historical & Other Shows - Hiram The Traveling Bear -
The Yellow Dog & Other Flares - Shows I plan To Attend - Dumpster Treasures -
Contact me - Visit my Web shots albums
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